HASBROUCK HEIGHTS BOARD OF EDUCATION                                    FILE CODE 5110
Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey 07604
Regulation
Attendance

District-Wide Guidelines – Grades K-12
Each school principal will adhere to the following guidelines regarding unexcused absences:

I. For up to 4 cumulative unexcused absences, the school district shall:

1. Make a reasonable attempt to notify the student’s parents of each unexcused absence prior to the start of the following school day;
2. Conduct an investigation to determine the cause of each unexcused absence, including contact with the student’s parents;
3. Develop an action plan in consultation with the student’s parents designed to address patterns of unexcused absences, if any, and to have the child return to school and maintain regular attendance;
4. Proceed in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 9:6-1 et seq. and N.J.A.C 6A:16-11, if a potential missing or abused child situation is detected; and
5. Cooperate with law enforcement and other authorities and agencies, as appropriate.

II. For between 5 and 9 cumulative unexcused absences, the school district shall:

1. Make a reasonable attempt to notify the student’s parents of each unexcused absence prior to the start of the following school day;
2. Conduct a follow-up investigation, including contact with the student’s parents, to determine the cause of each unexcused absence;
3. Evaluate the appropriateness of the action plan developed pursuant to I (3) above;
4. Revise the action plan, as needed, to identify patterns of unexcused absences and establish outcomes based upon the student’s needs and specify the interventions for achieving the outcomes, supporting the student’s return to school and regular attendance that may include any or all of the following:
   • Refer or consult with the building’s Intervention and Referral Services team, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:16-8;
   • Conduct testing, assessments or evaluations of the student’s academic, behavioral and health needs;
   • Consider an alternate educational placement;
   • Make a referral to a community-based social and health provider agency or other community resource;
   • Refer to the court program designated by the New Jersey Administrative Office of the Courts; and
   • Proceed in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 9:6-1 et seq. and N.J.A.C. 6A:16-11, if a potential missing or abused child situation is detected; and
5. Cooperate with law enforcement and other authorities and agencies, as appropriate.

III.  For cumulative unexcused absences of 10 or more, the student, between the ages of six and 16, is truant, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:38-27, and the school district shall:

1. Make a mandatory referral to the court program required by the New Jersey Administrative Office of the Courts;
2. Make a reasonable attempt to notify the student’s parents of the mandatory referral.
3. Continue to consult with the parent and the involved agencies to support the student’s return to school and regular attendance;
4. Cooperate with law enforcement and other authorities and agencies, as appropriate; and

For students with disabilities, the attendance plan and punitive and remedial procedures set forth therein shall be applied, where applicable, in accordance with the students’ Individualized Education Programs, pursuant to 20 U.S.C. § § 1400 et seq., the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act; the procedural protections set forth in N.J.A.C. 6A:14; accommodation plans under 29 U.S.C. § § 794 and 705(20); and individualized health care plans, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:16-2.3(b)2ix.

The chief school administrator shall submit annually a report to the Commissioner of Education containing information on student attendance, including, but not limited to, the district board of education’s implementation of each of the requirements pursuant to this section.  

Grades K-5 Elementary School - Grades Kindergarten through Fifth Grade ABSENCES AND EXCUSES

In order for the Board of Education to fulfill its responsibility for providing a thorough and efficient education for each pupil, the complete cooperation of parents/guardians and pupils is required to maintain a high level of school attendance.

The frequent absence of pupils from classroom learning experiences disrupts the continuity of the instructional process and limits the ability of pupils to complete the prescribed curriculum requirements successfully.

A pupil must be in attendance for 164 or more school days in order to be considered to have successfully completed the instructional program requirements of the grade to which he/she is assigned.

Students will be limited to sixteen (16) absences (excused or unexcused) for the school year.  It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to track their child’s absences.  Absences should be tracked via the attendance information encompassed in the quarterly report cards and/or by contacting the school’s main office.  The school will notify the parents when the student has accumulated 16 absences and a conference will be required at that time.  The parents/guardians will appear before a review committee. 

Excused Absences
The Board considers the following as cause for excused absence:

1. Disabling illness
2. Recovery from accident
3. Required court attendance
4. Death in the family
5. Religious observance – In accordance with statute, no pupil absent for religious observance of a day recognized by the Commission of Education or this Board of Education shall be charged with an unexcused absence, deprived of an award or eligibility/opportunity to compete for an award, or of the right to take an alternate to a test or examination missed through such absence.
6. Such good cause as may be acceptable to the principal.

 
A waiver of these attendance requirements may be granted for good cause by the school principal upon recommendation of the review committee, appointed by him/her, and consisting of representative staff, including guidance personnel and/or classroom teachers. 

In recommending the granting of a waiver of this attendance requirement, the review committee shall consider the nature and causes of all absences rather than only those in excess of the 16 days. Documentation of the nature and causes of these absences shall be the responsibility of the pupil and parent/guardian.

Any student absent sixteen (16) or more days will require a doctor’s note for any future absences.  If a doctor’s note is not presented, or the child exceeds 20 absences an automatic retention will occur.

All existing chronic illnesses (i.e.…asthma) that may lead to excessive absences must be reported to the school nurse via a doctor’s note by October first of each school year.  Additionally, all chronic illnesses diagnosed during the school year must be immediately reported via a doctor’s note to the school nurse in order to be considered as a legitimate plea for waiver of this attendance requirement.

Classroom teachers are to notify the guidance counselor of any students in the above category.  The guidance counselor will then generate a list and forward it to the principal. 

Parents/guardians are responsible for notifying the school no later than 8:45 AM when a child will be absent and should inform the school of the reason for the absence.  Upon a student’s return from any absence, a note is to be presented to the homeroom teacher.

A student absent from school will not be allowed to participate in any school function, either during or after school hours unless the principal or designee has granted prior permission.

POTENTIALLY MISSING CHILDREN

If daily attendance records indicate a child is absent, and the parent/guardian has not called, a designated person shall attempt to contact them.  If no one can be reached the child will be considered truant.  In addition, the appropriate law enforcement agencies and/or the truant officers will be notified to ensure the safety of your child.

VACATIONING STUDENTS

The administration and the teaching staff strongly discourage the removal of students from school for vacationing purposes.  However, in the event that such absence is absolutely essential because of family commitments, the following procedures will prevail:

1. A letter signed by a parent/guardian will be addressed to the administration, which will ascertain the validity of the request.
2. The student will present the letter and principal’s acknowledgement to each teacher for review and signature.  The teacher’s signature merely acknowledges notification of the student’s proposed absence and does not indicate approval.
3. The teacher will, upon request, provide the student with information in the general areas of subject matter, which will be covered during the absence.  Specific assignments will be made available for the period of absence for which written lesson plans are available.  It is the parent’s/guardian’s responsibility to meet with the teacher at a mutually convenient time to discuss this advance work and to make arrangements with the teacher to take quizzes and/or tests.

Make-up work: Vacationing Students

After absences, students are required to make up all work missed within five (5) school days unless extenuating circumstances exist.  If work is not submitted the student’s average for the marking period will be lowered one grade.

BEDSIDE INSTRUCTION

Home instruction is available for students upon the request of the parent/guardian and the presentation of a physician’s statement indicating that the student will be absent from school for a minimum of two weeks.  While on home instruction, daily attendance requirements will be suspended.  Absences will be excused from the first day of confinement associated with the request for bedside instruction.  Instructional services shall begin as soon as possible but no later than seven calendar days after the physicians verification {6A:14-4.9}.

TARDINESS

All students are expected to attend school regularly and to be on time.  When a student arrives to school later than 8:35 AM (after the second the bell), the student must report to the office to check in before going to the classroom.  A written, verifiable, ‘same-day note’ from the parent/guardian should be handed in at this time explaining the reason for the tardiness.  However, time lost due to repeated tardiness past 8:35 AM, will be made up by the student during recess or after school.  All notes must include an accessible parent contact telephone number.

Late Arrival and Early Dismissal
The Board recognizes that from time to time compelling circumstances will require that a pupil be later to school or dismissed before the end of the school day.

As agent responsible for the education of the children of this district, the Board shall require that the school be notified in advance of such absences by written request of the pupil’s parent/guardian, which shall state the reason for the tardiness or early dismissal.  Justifiable reasons may include:

1. Medical or dental appointments which cannot be scheduled outside of school hours;
2. Medical disability;
3. Family emergency;
4. Court appearance;
5. Such good cause as may be acceptable to the administration

No pupil in grades kindergarten through eighth shall be permitted to leave school before the close of the school day unless he/she is met in the school office by his/her parent/guardian or a person authorized by the parent/guardian to act in his/her behalf.

Tardiness not covered by the causes listed shall be cumulative, and may affect course credit.

MIDDLE SCHOOL/HIGH SCHOOL - Grades Six through Twelfth
The Board of Education recognizes that the continuity of the instructional process and the ability of pupils to complete the prescribed curriculum requirements is disrupted by frequent absence or tardiness by pupils. Also recognized is that one of the major requirements of adult occupations is regular attendance and time on task. Therefore, the practice of good attendance must be established in the pre college years. In recognition of this, the Board of Education requires the complete cooperation of parents/guardians and pupils to maintain the highest level of school attendance. Since frequent absence severely affects the learning process, the successful completion of the prescribed curriculum by students whose accumulated absences exceed 20 days is not possible and, therefore, students will not receive credit for those programs for which they have been absent.

A pupil must be in attendance for 164 or more school days in order to be considered to have successfully completed the instructional program requirements of the course to which he/she is assigned.

Excused Absences
The Board considers the following as cause for excused absence:

1. Disabling illness
2. Recovery from accident
3. Required court attendance
4. Death in the family
5. Religious observance – In accordance with statute, no pupil absent for religious observance of a day recognized by the Commission of Education or this Board of Education shall be charged with an unexcused absence, deprived of an award or eligibility/opportunity to compete for an award, or of the right to take an alternate to a test or examination missed through such absence.
6. Such good cause as may be acceptable to the principal.

Students will be limited to 20 absences for a full year course, 10 absences for a half-year course, 5 for a marking period course, and 20 for physical education/health.

The school will notify the parents via phone/email when the student has accumulated 4 absences.

The school will notify the parents via US Mail when the student has accumulated:
Full year course - 7 day  & 9-day notification
Half-year course - 4-day notification
Marking period course - 2 day notification

In addition, a parent conference is mandatory when the student has accumulated:
Full year course - 16 absences
Half-year course - 7 absences
Marking period course - 4 absences

The purpose of the conference will be to evaluate the attendance record and to inform the parent that the total can not exceed 20 days for a full year course, 10 days for a half year course, and 5 days for a marking period course.

LOSS OF CREDIT
DUE TO CUTTING AND/OR TRUANCY - A student will be denied credit in a course upon attaining two (2) cuts in that course during the school year.

DUE TO ABSENCE - A student will be denied credit in a course after cumulative absences exceed 20 for a full year course, 10 for a half-year course, 5 for a marking period course, 20 for Physical Education/ Health.

Each late to class will accumulate as an absence.
Tardiness of 15 minutes or more will result in a full absence from that class.
Excessive tardiness to school in Grades 9 - 12 may result in the loss of credit for Period I class.

TRANSFERRING STUDENTS
Students who transfer to Hasbrouck Heights Middle/High School should realize that their allowable number of absences will be pro-rated based upon their date of enrollment. That is to say, a student entering school one-third of the way through the year will be allowed 13 absences for a full year subject.

MEDICAL WAIVERS
All existing chronic illnesses (i.e.…asthma) that may lead to excessive absences must be reported to the school nurse via a doctor’s note by October first of each school year.  Additionally, all chronic illnesses diagnosed during the school year must be immediately reported via a doctor’s note to the school nurse in order to be considered as a legitimate plea for waiver of this attendance requirement.

BEDSIDE INSTRUCTION
Home instruction is available for students upon the request of the parent/guardian and the presentation of a physician’s statement indicating that the student will be absent from school for a minimum of two weeks.  While on home instruction, daily attendance requirements will be suspended.  Absences will be excused from the first day of confinement associated with the request for bedside instruction. Instructional services shall begin as soon as possible but no later than seven calendar days after the physicians verification {6A:14-4.9}.

DESCRIPTION OF CUMULATIVE ABSENCES
All absences from school are cumulative. The Board of Education realizes that many absences, such as religious holidays, death in family, illness, documented court appearances, college visit, etc. are unavoidable. However, all absences cause a student to miss the time-on-task necessary to learn the prescribed curriculum and are, therefore, cumulative. It is the responsibility of the student to have time available for make-up days so that he or she can regain the time necessary for learning.

Absences for college visits should be limited to no more than three (3) days.  Students also need to present a letter from the college to the Administration prior to the visit indicating the day of the visit.

So that all students gain the benefit of classroom education, absences caused by family vacation is strongly discouraged. Each day missed will count as a cumulative day's absence.

Whether absences are due to personal or school related reasons, work in classes must be made up.

Absence Appeals: Students who lose credit because of absences may appeal for a review of their case to the Attendance Committee, which may be comprised of the Attendance Officer, the Nurse, a Counselor, and the SAC counselor who will review the appeal.  This appeal must be presented in writing to the Attendance Officer and be submitted by the parent\guardian no later than five (5) school days after the notice of lost credit is issued.

If the appeal is not received in this time period, the student will lose credit for the course(s) missed.

Principal’s Appeal: If the parent/guardian is in disagreement with the Attendance Committee’s decision, he or she must present written documentation which would justify further consideration of loss of credit.

This information must be submitted to the Principal within three (3) school days of notification of the Attendance Committee’s decision.

TRUANCY/CLASS CUTS
Students will be considered cutting class or truant when they do not have permission from a teacher, administrator, parent or guardian to miss class. A total of two (2) cuts from a class will result in loss of credit and removal from class.

Class Cuts: A student who cuts a class will be assigned three (3) detentions for each cut.

Truancy: Students truant from school will receive two (2) Saturday School detentions for each day truant and in addition, each class missed will be considered a cut.

Students who cut class or are truant are not entitled to make up the work that they have missed. 

Staff intervention: Following the first cut from a class by a student, the administration will notify the parent/guardian by letter and phone call. Parents, guardians, and students will be reminded of the risk of loss of credit and will be requested to have a conference with staff members. Continued truancy or class cutting will be reviewed by the administration and may involve further intervention by the Child Study Team, counselors, staff members, administration, and parents or guardians in order to attempt to reverse the behavior.

EARLY DISMISSAL
Absence in all classes missed due to early dismissal is cumulative.

Procedure:
If a student is going to leave the school building early, a parent/guardian must call the Attendance Office (393-8168) before 8:00 a.m.
The student must also present to the Secretary a written explanation which includes the date, time, reason for the early dismissal, and if the student is expected to return.
A parent/guardian must report to the High School or Middle School Office to sign out any student.

TARDINESS POLICY

Lateness to School

It is the sole responsibility of the student to be in school and in class on time.  For each of the first six (6) times a student is tardy to school and/or homeroom during the entire school year, one (1) central detention will be assigned for each occurrence, unless the student presents the Attendance Secretary with a written explanation that excuses the tardy.  If the student does NOT present a note, it is considered an “Unexcused Tardy.” A student who receives an “Unexcused Tardy” must report to central detention after school on that day.  If a student does not report to central detention that day, he/she will be assigned a Saturday School Detention.  After the sixth tardy and any subsequent tardy thereafter within the school year, the student will be assigned a Saturday School Detention for each tardy whether the tardy is excused or not.  If a student does not attend Saturday School, he/she will be suspended from school. Escalating disciplinary measures will result if tardiness continues.

In cases where extenuating circumstances exist, the Administration has the prerogative to modify any disciplinary action.

Late Arrival and Early Dismissal
The Board recognizes that from time to time compelling circumstances will require that a pupil be later to school or dismissed before the end of the school day.

As agent responsible for the education of the children of this district, the Board shall require that the school be notified in advance of such absences by written request of the pupil’s parent/guardian, which shall state the reason for the tardiness or early dismissal.  Justifiable reasons may include:

1. Medical or dental appointments which cannot be scheduled outside of school hours;
2. Medical disability;
3. Motor vehicle driver’s test;
4. Interview for college entrance or employment;
5. Family emergency;
6. Court appearance;
7. Such good cause as may be acceptable to the administration

No pupil in grades kindergarten through eighth shall be permitted to leave school before the close of the school day unless he/she is met in the school office by his/her parent/guardian or a person authorized by the parent/guardian to act in his/her behalf.

Tardiness not covered by the causes listed shall be cumulative, and may affect course credit.

Lateness to Class

Lateness to any class is excused only when a student has a proper note from a staff member when arriving in class.

Time lost by unexcused lateness of 3 minutes or less to class will be made up by detention with individual teachers concerned. If students do not cooperate with this policy, central detention will be assigned. In either case, two (2) unexcused tardies of more than 3 -minutes will be recorded as a CUT with consequences listed above for cutting. Teachers will notify parents and attendance officers of students who reach this point for intervention and effective behavioral change.

Unexcused tardiness of more than 3 minutes will be considered as a CUT with consequences listed above for cutting.

A student is considered present in class only if he/she is sitting at a desk when class begins.

Date Approved:  July 29, 2004
Revised:  August 23, 2007